Our Mission
Blooming Girls’ mission is to provide a safe and inspiring environment for elementary and middle school girls, where they can develop the life skills necessary to reach their full potential. Blooming Girls aims to nurture and advance within each girl a sense of confidence, self-esteem, individuality, integrity, and creativity, responsibility for self and community and friendship.
Meet Carrie
Carrie Sheffield is the founder/owner of Blooming Girls which has been running in the Fort Collins area since spring of 2008. Carrie is also a certified Girls Circle facilitator. Blooming Girls offers workshops that will help girls improve their confidence and self-esteem.
Carrie has a BS in Family Studies and Human Development with a professional elementary education teaching license. Carrie has taught elementary school for fifteen years. She also was the Day Treatment Leader at Mount Saint Vincent Home servicing children ages 5-13 who have significant trauma, neglect and/or mental health issues. Carrie has been working with children for the past 20 years.
Carrie lives with her son Trey and daughter Georgia in Fort Collins, Colorado. In her free time she enjoys spending time in the mountains, hiking, skiing, working out, reading, biking, traveling and spending time with her family.
Blooming Girls allows the girls to really dig deep into who they are and what is important about them. Carrie loves watching the girls grow and become strong independent women. Her mission is for the girls to take the skills they have learned and use them to become the best person they can be.
Carrie is a responsible, creative and energetic leader with a wealth of experience and knowledge about girls. Her passion for growth and learning is contagious. With her experience and education background she will be able to lead the girls to fulfill their highest potential.
Meet Shelby
My name is Shelby Wills and I’m DELIGHTED to be teaching another year with Blooming Girls! I graduated from THE Ohio State University with my bachelors in education in 2018. I have enjoyed working with kiddos of all ages and special abilities.
I have so many animals, you could say I live in a zoo! If you’re a big animal lover, I think we’ll get along great! Cooking and creating scrumptious meals, sets my soul on fire. I believe that good food can heal any bad day. I like to stay active through aerial arts, walking my dog, and dancing! I can’t wait to meet you all!
Testimonials
I think that the objectives and activities are just what girls coming of age in today’s society need. I was thrilled when I found out about Blooming Girls – I so wholeheartedly believe in the mission of BG. Today’s girls face so many pressures that place value on their appearance and that normalize just a few “ways of being” as “best” or “right.” I love the BG helps girls appreciate what makes them each unique/helps them listen to their own voices. What a gift to give our girls. I hope that my daughters will participate in the program until they age out of it.
Jen Ogle
Blooming Girls is the best, I experience sharing and making new friends. I hope other girls can experience what I have.
Katie (girl)
My daughter has become much more confident since Blooming Girls, she doesn’t get upset over little things like she used to and has a better perspective about things like her friends’ moods and behaviors and doesn’t take them personally like she used too. She’s also become much more responsible about doing the things that she’s supposed to do like homework, practicing the piano and the small chores she does around the house. Overall, she’s learned a lot about herself and what makes her happy.
Anna Boyer
Love the program. It is a nice way for my daughter to mix with new children, develop friendship/life skills and grow.
Janet Perry
The life lessons that you give our girls are priceless. We really appreciate what you do and I think that you do such absolutely wonderful thing. It made a difference for our daughter and she definitely grew from her summer session with you.
Michelle Butterworth
Blooming Girls has been a wonderful experience for my kindergartener. At the beginning of the year, Addie was hesitant because there would be older girls (through 5th grade) and she was nervous about being so little. After the first session, all of her nerves went away. Each month, she learns valuable life skills, does fun crafts and activities, and socializes with other girls in different grades. Addie always says she had the best time at Blooming Girls and I’m looking forward to her growing in the program year after year. As a mom and former school counselor, I am very grateful for the education, soft skills, and support Blooming Girls gives my daughter each month. I’m SO glad I saw the flyer at the beginning of the year and signed her up. Additionally, Carrie is a kind and passionate leader. Her commitment to helping girls grow and connect has allowed her to create this amazing progam. It needs to be offered in every elementary school in PSD. – Kim Murray